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Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)


EMA What is EMA?

EMA is a weekly payment for eligible students aged 16, 17 or 18 who continue in further education after leaving school. It is paid in weekly payments of £10, £20 or £30 which go directly into your bank account.

On top of your weekly EMA you can also receive bonuses of £100 – but only if you attend regularly, work hard and meet targets set by your teacher, tutor or provider when you start.

Your course

EMA will support you on academic or vocational courses that involve at least 12 hours guided learning each week, or an apprenticeship.

Household income

To qualify for EMA your annual household income must have been below £30,810 for the previous tax year.

If you qualify for EMA it will not affect any other benefits anyone in your family receives, so they can keep claiming Child Benefit, tax credits and other types of support. If you have a part-time job any money you earn isn’t included in your overall household income.

How much will your EMA be?

If your family household income (for the previous financial year) was;

  • up to £20,817 per year - you will get £30 per week;
  • £20,818 - £25,521 per year - you will get £20 a week;
  • £25,522 - £30,810 per year - you will get £10 a week; and
  • more than £30,810 per year - you not be entitled to EMA

If you stay on your course for the next year you may automatically qualify for EMA even if your family income increases.

For more information contact your careers teacher, the student support service, your Connexions personal adviser (020 7332 3617 or by email if you live in the City of London), or the  on 080 810 16 2 19.


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Last modified: 12 June 2009 | Author: Chris O'Leary
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